Dentifrice containing microencapsulated oxygen

Abstract

A stable oxygen-containing dentifrice in powder, paste or liquid form which contains a carrier and evenly dispersed therethrough a multiplicity of microencapsulated droplets of an oxygen releasing agent such as hydrogen peroxide. The walls of the microcapsules are rupturable upon mechanical manipulation of the dentifrice as it occurs during the toothbrushing action for releasing the oxygen-containing agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stable oxygen-containing dentifrice comprising as a carrier a toothpaste containing an effective amount of a base to decompose hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen; and dispersed there throughout a multiplicity of microencapsulated particles of hydrogen peroxide as an oxygen releasing agent, the walls of said microcapsules being rupturable upon mechanical manipulation for releasing said agent; said microcapsules being formed by a wall-forming material selected from the group consisting of dextrin, gelatin, gum arabic, casein, paraffin wax, natural waves, acrylic resin, styrene-maleic acid, polyamide, polyethylene, polyethylene-ethyl cellulose mixtures, polyurethanes, polyesters, acetal homopolymers and copolymers, epoxy resins, cellulose acetophthalate and polypropylene;   said microcapsules having a diameter of from about 1 to about 1,000 microns; and the wall thickness of said microcapsules being sufficiently thin to allow rupture by toothbrush action on the toothpaste and sufficiently thick to withstand packing of the composition.   
     
     
       2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the microcapsules is below 200 microns. 
     
     
       3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the microcapsules is between about 1 to about 100 microns. 
     
     
       4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the microcapsules is from about 5 to about 50 microns. 
     
     
       5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microcapsules additionally contain a stabilizer for stabilizing the oxygen releasing agent. 
     
     
       6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier additionally comprises a polishing agent. 
     
     
       7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier additionally comprises a stabilizer. 
     
     
       8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier additionally comprises a cleansing agent. 
     
     
       9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier additionally comprises an antiseptic. 
     
     
       10. The composition of claim 1, wherein the base is sodium bicarbonate. 
     
     
       11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the carrier contains a coloring agent. 
     
     
       12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the microcapsules are substantially evenly dispersed throughout the carrier.